Chapter 26: The Academy's Service is Over (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: The Academy's Service is Over (4)
It was a few months before the Academy entrance ceremony.
Back then, I was still being put through the wringer by the Commander as a training officer.
Rather than focusing on the already perfected Defeat Sword, I spent my days rolling on the ground like a dog, trying to keep up with Prince Ellen, who no longer had any use for the technique.
That day, I was sprawled out on the floor, gasping for air, when a thought struck me.
“Uh, Commander.”
“What?”
A sudden question had occurred to me, so I asked him.
“By the way, what happens to me if Prince Ellen becomes a Sword Master?”
“You’ll have to become a Sword Master too, obviously.”
“…Are you serious?”
Among swordsmen, there’s a saying that one can only become a Sword Master if they are chosen by the gods.
Of course, I knew from the Commander that a literal divine selection wasn't actually necessary.
However, his previous answer—that it was so difficult it would actually be easier to just be chosen by a god—made his current response seem absurd.
“I’m lying.”
Seeing my expression, the Commander cackled.
“A royal training officer exists for the growth of the royalty. If that royal becomes a Sword Master, they don't really need any more growth, do they?”
“That’s a relief.”
It truly was. Even in the royal family, it seemed there was some room for flexibility.
“However, if you can become a Sword Master, the story changes. Do you think Sword Masters say that reaching that rank is the beginning, not the end, for no reason?”
…No sooner had I felt relieved than I heard the possibility of my contract being extended.
“I definitely shouldn't become a Sword Master, then.”
“Hey, it’s the dream of every swordsman. You’re giving it up just because you don’t want to work?”
The Commander scolded me with an incredulous look, but I didn't care.
“I’ve worked hard; I should get to spend what I’ve earned.”
Since I would have successfully raised my charge into a Sword Master, I’d likely be granted a title by then and be able to live in luxury.
Plus, I was childhood friends with a prince and my own abilities were top-tier.
I was, quite literally, the most eligible bachelor.
My goal was a romantic marriage with a decent noble lady, not becoming a Sword Master.
“I’ve said this many times, but I have no intention of staking my life on the sword.”
I could say that with total sincerity.
In fact, if I had truly intended to dedicate my life to the sword, I never would have learned a technique with a name as ridiculous as the Defeat Sword in the first place.
“If that’s how you feel, I won’t force you, but…”
The Commander smacked his lips as if disappointed and added one last thing.
“Tell me if you change your mind later.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too firm?”
“Just think of it as me having strong convictions.”
“I’m not sure if ‘conviction’ is the right word for that.”
The Commander let out a hollow laugh at my words, but soon, a devious expression crept onto his face.
“What is it now?”
“Ah, well, even retirement has its regulations. It would be problematic if you retired just because Prince Ellen became a Sword Master in the middle of a mission.”
“What are you talking about?”
I really didn't understand what he was getting at.
“It means that if Prince Ellen becomes a Sword Master while at the Academy, you’ll have to keep putting in the effort for the sake of the mission.”
“Listen to yourself.”
No matter how talented Prince Ellen was, becoming a Sword Master in his early twenties?
Back then, I didn't realize this world followed the logic of a RoFan novel, so it was something I couldn't even imagine.
“Do you think the Kingdom would send royalty to study in the Empire for no reason?”
Since the reason we prepared for this study abroad was the Sword Emperor, the Commander was implying that with the Sword Emperor’s help, it might actually be possible.
But did that even make sense?
“Even if he is the Sword Emperor, isn't that a bit much?”
If he could pull that off, he wouldn't be a Sword Emperor; he’d be a Sword God.
“You’ll understand once you learn from him.”
That mischievous smile of his felt strangely chilling for some reason.
It was a memory that stayed with me for a very long time.
Because of that memory, every time I ate with Prince Ellen, I would often ask him what he was learning from the Sword Emperor.
Later, when I became Violet’s ally, I went as far as openly assigning her the task of watching the Sword Emperor’s training sessions in the Flower Arrangement Club and reporting any unusual findings.
And based on what I’d confirmed so far, the Sword Emperor’s teachings weren't anything particularly mystical.
How should I put it?
It was like when a professor tells the class to come by and ask questions if they’re curious, and then actually teaches the students who bother to show up.
For the sake of those diligent students, he’d explain things a bit more thoroughly than in class, in a way they could easily understand.
Of course, given the prestige of the name ‘Sword Emperor,’ his teachings were likely more precious than anything else to the students.
However, the lessons in the Flower Arrangement Club weren't significantly different from the ones he gave when he occasionally visited the Swordsmanship Club.
It was just that the members of the Flower Arrangement Club were so exceptionally skilled that he gave them slightly higher-level instruction.
According to Uncle Aeryun, the top-tier upperclassmen in the Swordsmanship Club were being taught similar content.
Knowing that allowed me to calm my nerves.
He’d probably teach me in a similar vein.
The only difference would be that it was one-on-one.
Since he was setting aside time specifically for me, he’d probably pay a bit more attention.
I interpreted it roughly like that and told the Sword Emperor I would accept his tutelage.
To be honest, a small part of it was because the tiny voice of the swordsman inside me—one I didn't even know existed—had suddenly grown loud for the first time in a while.
And that’s how I knew for sure.
There was a very good reason why the voice of the swordsman in my heart had been so quiet.
There was a reason it had been living like a squatter, cramped up in a place no better than a rooftop room or a semi-basement.
“Is this right?”
“It is.”
The Sword Emperor stood there, holding a sword.
I felt something was wrong right then and there.
According to the information I’d gathered, it was extremely rare for the Sword Emperor to actually draw his sword when teaching.
Even when he did, it was never to face someone; it was just to demonstrate a bit of posture.
But as soon as I said I’d accept his teaching, he drew his sword without hesitation.
Then, he told me, who was standing there blankly, to draw mine.
I would have preferred it if he just wanted me to follow his movements with my sword, but…
“There is no better way to learn the sword than by clashing blades.”
The expression of the Sword Emperor—the kindly grandfather of a friend—changed.
It was a very familiar expression.
The Commander used to make that exact face whenever he came at me with everything he had.
Though he wasn't a direct disciple, I began to feel a strong sense of ‘like master, like student.’
No, it couldn't be, right? This is the Sword Emperor.
Unlike the Commander, who acted like a brat despite his rank and status as a Sword Master, there was no way the Sword Emperor, who had left countless achievements across the continent, would be the same.
“Come at me.”
However, my hopes were ruthlessly crushed.
The way he beckoned me to come at him with a flick of his hand overlapped perfectly with the Commander.
Aren, the Sword Emperor, thought to himself.
‘Is this what they call the wave of the era?’
A new era was approaching.
He was now feeling for himself the very words he had heard when he first started making a name for himself.
‘How interesting.’
He had taken the professor position at the Academy somewhat against his will, but he was enjoying it more than he expected.
Though they had many shortcomings, the level of the students in the Swordsmanship Department was better than he’d thought.
The students in the Swordsmanship Club, who were learning the sword more seriously, reminded him of old acquaintances from his past.
And for some reason, seeing the students of the Flower Arrangement Club, who were even more exceptional than those in the Swordsmanship Department, made him feel the arrival of a new age.
Among them, the skills of two individuals made him think that the day the waves of the era would overtake him might actually come.
‘Ellen and Adam.’
Should he say it was expected of Leon, the so-called Kingdom of Knights?
The Prince of Leon was far superior to Aren’s past self, and this student named Adam, who had a strong eccentric vibe, was also magnificent.
To the point where his own grandson, who had no rivals among his peers, was utterly defeated.
Seeing his grandson frustrated by consecutive losses was heartbreaking, but it wasn't a bad experience.
In fact, since defeat in a real battle meant death, getting used to losing like this was actually a good thing.
That was why he had been keeping an eye on Ellen and Adam.
He had intended to teach them both, but unlike Ellen, he had no point of contact with the student named Adam.
Because of that, he had called Adam to his office personally to suggest teaching him.
When he was flatly rejected, even the great Sword Emperor was a bit shocked.
So, when Adam finally agreed to receive instruction, using his connection with Aren's grandson as an excuse…
Aren decided to put a bit of that lingering grudge into his lesson and teach him quite seriously.
“……”
And he was quite…
No, he was significantly surprised.
‘In terms of pure physical weight, he’s actually superior.’
The swordsman who could be called the best among the freshmen—no, the entire Academy—was Ellen, the Prince of Leon.
Even Ellen’s father, whom Aren had briefly taught in the past and who was among the best he’d ever seen, hadn't been at this level.
They had only clashed blades about three times, and it hadn't even been a serious bout.
Yet, Ellen’s sword showed a level of talent that made Aren’s own past self look shabby.
In comparison, the talent of the Adam before him was so obvious in its limitations.
If asked if he lacked talent, Aren would say absolutely not.
But compared to the brilliant talent of Ellen, the difference was like the sun versus a firefly.
That was why he could be certain.
“You are accustomed to fighting those stronger than yourself.”
Unlike Ellen, who clashed blades with him using flashes of wit, Adam was dealing with his sword as if he were used to it.
He looked like someone accustomed to fighting opponents far stronger than himself.
And the pure physical weight and fundamentals that made that possible…
It was a refreshing feeling he couldn't get from ordinary students.
Furthermore…
“……”
Look at that reaction.
That expression of gritting his teeth, looking like he was about to die from exhaustion.
Aren was a Sword Emperor who tried not to rely on his reputation, but he was the idol of every swordsman on the continent.
Even if he tried not to be conscious of it, those around him couldn't help but be aware of that fact.
But from their very first meeting, the student named Adam had tried not to be conscious of him.
It wasn't even that he didn't see him as the Sword Emperor or a professor.
It was more like… a feeling that Aren was a nuisance, like a god of calamity to be avoided?
How amusing.
Even those called his rivals in his youth hadn't given off that kind of vibe.
Because of that, he got a little carried away.
“Ah…”
With one mistake, Adam fainted without even being able to let out a scream.
“…Oh dear.”
What a blunder.
As a professor, it was the worst possible mistake, but as a swordsman, it was unavoidable.
“At least it’s not too severe.”
It was a relief that he had subconsciously pulled his strength at the very last moment.
To put it another way, he had barely held back until right before that.
Even if he hadn't used Aura, the symbol of a Sword Master…
To think an Academy freshman could hold out this long.
It was something he couldn't have imagined before coming to the Academy.
“I won’t be lonely in my old age.”
He had become a professor just for personal reasons.
But now, the Sword Emperor had come to understand the heart of a professor who has discovered a potential grad student.